This bean comes from the Bensa woreda of the Sidamo zone of the region of the same name, considered the largest coffee region in Ethiopia. The region stretches across the fertile highlands south of Lake Awassa in the Rift Valley. The altitude ranges from 1,500 to 2,200 m above sea level, which means that the coffee ripens slowly at low temperatures, developing a sweeter taste and a pleasant acidity in the profile. This altitude qualifies Sidamo coffee as Strictly High Grown (SHG) / Strictly Hard Bean (SHB). ‎
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The highly fertile soil and annual rainfall of 1,200–2,000 mm create ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Bensa is the highest woreda within Sidamo (1,800–2,300 m above sea level), which makes the local coffee profile more complex and fruity. ‎
This lot was made by Mr. Mekuria, who has been a partner of Lulo Coffee for over 4 years, a company founded by Mr. Robel Kidane, a certified Q-processing specialist, and his family. It works with coffee that comes mainly from the regions east of the Rift Valley; Sidama, West Arci, Gedeo (Yirgacheffe) and Guji. Lulo has 2 of its own farms, several processing stations, and also sorts beans from partners. ‎
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Currently, over 30 farmers work with them under the “Lulo Promise” program. With its help, Lulo helps farmers find a market for high-quality coffee from individual farms. At the same time, up to 88% of the value of the coffee is passed on to the producers. Lulo adheres to the principles of organic production, so neither they nor their farmer partners use chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides or pesticides. All coffee is grown organically using composts made from fallen leaves, cut weeds, cow manure, and coffee pulp. ‎